HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 07-26-05 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JULY 26, 2005
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:31 p.m., July 26, 2005, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City
Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairman Anne M. Bayer presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members/Commissioners:
Anne M. Bayer
Meredith H. Perkins
Rick Trejo
David R. Gafin
Kirk O. Cartozian
Mayor/Chairman
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairman
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Charles S. Vose, City Attorney/Economic Development Director
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Desi Alvarez. Director of Public Works
James Makshanoff, Deputy City Manager
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: No one came forward to speak.
APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION NINUTES
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairman Perkins, seconded by Council
Member/Commissioner Cartozian and unanimously carried to approve the Closed Session
Minutes of July 12, 2005, noting the abstention of Council Member Trejo due to his prior meeting
absence
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor/Chairman Bayer announced the Council/Commission is ncessing to Closed
Session (6:32 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the
Government Code:
1
2.
3
4
Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Performance Evaluation – City Clerk.
Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell re:
direction for labor negotiations with Police Officers’ Assn. and Police Management Assn.
Government Code Section 54956.8(b) – Conference with real property negotiator Desi
Alvarez re: property at 1 1911 Woodruff Avenue; negotiating party: Robert An, Heger Realty;
under negotiations: price and terms of payment.
Government Code Section 54956.8(b) – Conference with real property negotiator Charles S.
Vose re: property at 9301 Imperial Highway; negotiating party: Kaiser Permanente; under
negotiations: price and terms of payment.
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 07/26/05 -1 -
RECONVENED
The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:30 p.m. Wth all Council Members/
Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report.
The meeting recessed at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:58 p.m. Wth all Council Members/Commissioners present.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:58 p.m.
IZW//ad./#! ',t:’D"
a airmanKATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE,-City Clerk/Secretary
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City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 07/26/05 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 26, 2005
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS
SUBJECT ACTION PAGE NO.
Presentations
Non-Agenda Public Comment
Council Minutes: Reg. & Adj . Mtg. 07/12/05
Warrants: # 205691-206010 Wire Nos. 30001047-30001054:
54,274,505.51
Prop A & C Local Return Funds, Update & Transfer Funds Approved
LA County Agreement to Develop Traffic Signal Control Sys. Approved
Lin Consulting Agreement for On-call Traffic Eng. & Sig. Design Approved
Reso. #05-6865, Destruction of Obsolete City Clerk’s Records Adopted
Reso. #05-6866, Approve Appeal, Deny CUP #05-40, Adopted
8801 Lakewood Blvd.
Approved
Approved
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
Reso. #05-6867, Approve Appeal, Deny ZV #05-41,
8801 Lakewood Blvd.
Adopted
Reso. #05-6868, Class Specs. & Establish Salary Ranges
Sec. to CA/City Clerk, PW Tech, Equip. Maint Leadworker,
KDB Coord. & Sr. Bldg Permit Tech.
Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center, Conceptual Approved
Design & Agreement w/Arquitectonica for Prep of Plans & Specs.
50th District Assemblymember Hector De La Torre
Emergency Room Crisis in Los Angeles County
Review of Draft Travel, Conference & Meeting Expense Policy No Action
Council Member Announcements/Requests for Future Agenda Items
Adopted
3
3
4
5
6
COUNCIL MINUTES, JULY 26, 2005
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS (CONTINUED)
Staff Member Comments 6
6Adjournment
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 26, 2005
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:34 p.m., July 26, 2005, in
the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor
Anne M. Bayer presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members:
Anne M. Bayer
Meredith H. Perkins
Rick Trejo
David R. Gafin
Kirk O. Cartozian
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Charles S. Vose, City Attorney/Economic Development Director
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Desi Alvarez, Director of Public Works
John Finch, Chief of Police
Bonnie Kehoe, Director of Community Services
James Makshanoff, Deputy City Manager
John Michicoff, Director of Finance
Mark Sauter, Fire Chief
Angela Avery, Recreation Manager
Loren Behr, Executive Director Space Learning Center
Teri Hamilton, Recreation Supervisor
Ed Velasco, Housing Manager
Susan Domen, Executive Secretary
PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Bayer presented the Mayor's Award for Service to the City to Sonya Meacham,
ASPIRE Program Supervisor.
Mayer Bayer presented Proclamations to Parents of the Year: Downey High School: Dave
and Vicki Gunderson; Warren High School: David and Pam Langford, Steve and Ruth Ruckrnan.
Mayer Bayer presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Cristina Rodriguez, Rio Hondo Teen
Center member and volunteer.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Elsa Van Luven, resident of Downey, spoke opposing large single family homes
(mansionization) and asked that the current Codes be enforced.
City Council Minutes 07/26/05 -1-
John Lacy, resident of Downey, spoke regarding a recent U.S. Supreme Court case
regarding the right of local governments using eminent domain to take private property and
suggested that since the City Council is also the Community Development Commission in Downey,
that there be a division created that allows for more public input.
Pat Rooney, resident of Downey, expressed that he feels large homes are good for the
neighborhoods.
Diane Hunt, resident of Downey, spoke opposing large single family homes (rnansionization)
and asked that the laws be enforced and followed.
Harold Tseklenis, resident of Downey, noted that there has been a lot of interest shown at
the last few meetings on the issue of mansionization and that there should be reports on the
progress of the study.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, noted that the proposed moratorium to stop
mansionization had been voted down and a subcommittee was formed; and expressed that he feels
the City Council is fortunate to get offices, a secretary, computers, etc. while some other cities do
not provide these things.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Gafin and
unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar items as recommended, noting the
abstention of Council Member Trejo on Items One and Seven due to his prior meeting absence:
1.APPROVED COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings July 12, 2005: City
Clerk
2.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Nos. 205691-206010; Wire Nos. 30001047-30001054;
in the total amount of $4,274,505.51: Finance.
3.APPROVED 2005 ANNUAL PROJECT UPDATE FOR PROPOSITIONS A AND C LOCAL
RETURN FUNDS AND APPROVED A $1 ,233,300 1NTER-FUND TRANSFER FROM THE
PROPOSITION A FUND TO THE PROPOSITION C FUND; Public Works.
4.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO DEVELOP A TRAFFIC
SIGNAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATE $300,000 1N GRANT FUNDS: Public
Works
5.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH LIN CONSULTING FOR ON-CALL TRAFFIC
ENGINEERING AND SIGNAL DESIGN SERVICES: Public Works.
6.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 05-6865. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE
RECORDS OF THE CITY CLERK’S DEPARTMENT: City Clerk.
City Council Minutes 07/26/05
7.DENYING A GASOLINE STATION PROJECT AT 8801 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD:
Development Services.
A.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 05-6866, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPEAL AND DENYING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 05-40 FOR A COMBINATION GASOLINE FUEL
SALES/CONVENIENCE MARKETrrAKE-OUT RESTAURANT ON PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 8801 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD.
B.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 05-6867, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPEAL AND DENYING ZONE
VARIANCE NO. 05-41 ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8801 LAKEWOOD
BOULEVARD.
8.ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 05-6868, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING CLASS SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING SALARY
RANGES FOR SECRETARY TO THE CITY ATTORNEY/CITY CLERK. PUBLIC WORKS
TECHNICIAN, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE LEADWORKER, KEEP DOWNEY
BEAUTIFUL COORDINATOR AND SENIOR BUILDING PERMIT TECHNICIAN:
Administration.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
9.COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER: Community Services.
A.
B.
APPROVE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN;
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH ARQUITECTONICA IN THE AMOUNT OF
$587,875 FOR PREPARATION OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND COST
ESTIMATE.
Space Science Learning Center Executive Director Behr noted that it is a proud day for the
City of Downey and NASA on the return to space today. He explained that many locations on the
former NASA property were looked at to house the new Learning Center. He introduced Mahasti
Fakourbayat, the architect from Arquitectonica who briefly explained the conceptual drawings and
layout of the museum.
In response to questions from Mayor Pro Tem Perkins it was explained that the building
would be 20,000 square feet, the cost will be approximately $5,000,000 (five million dollars) to build,
and the design allows for the person taking tickets to be able to manage the store. The shuttle would
not be in the front as that would be a memorial to the Columbia crew. He expressed concerns about
the layout and was told that it is a conceptual drawing and the City will work with the designer for a
final layout.
Council Member Gafin asked what types of economic/ecological components are being
considered to help control the costs of running the building and was informed that it would be looked
at further into the design process.
Council Member Cartozian noted that the contract provides for up to three modified design
plans and Council Member Gafin’s concerns could be addressed then. He asked for the firms policy
on working with the contractors and Ms. Fakourbayat stated that they work as a team with the
contractor and will continue through the end of the project.
City Council Minutes 07/26/05 -3-
Council Member Trejo inquired if Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is still involved in the
robotics portion of this project and was informed that they are. He indicated his pleasure with the
architectural design of the project and stated that while the cost of the running of the building is not
known yet the project still needs to go forward.
Mayor Bayer inquired as to where the shuttle would be placed in the exhibit. She was
informed that the building is not designed to house the shuttle as it would take up 10,000 square feet
and the building is only 20,000 square feet. Phase II will consist of acquiring more grant funds to
build an addition to house the shuttle.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Trejo and
unanimously carried to approve the conceptual design for the new Columbia Memorial Space
Science Learning Center and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract with Arquitectonica
in the amount of $587,875 for preparation of plans, specifications and cost estimate.
OTHER:
At this time, 50th District State Assemblymember Hector De La Torre addressed the Council
stating that the Assembly had finished the budget at the end of June. Proposition 42 funding and
Transportation funding have been fully funded in this year’s State budget and there were no further
cutbacks in City revenues.
Council Member Cartozian inquired if he is receptive to meeting with the Orangeline
Development Authority and was told that he had already met with them and looks forward to working
with them in the future.
10.PRESENTATION ON EMERGENCY ROOM CRISIS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTy: Fire.
Fire Chief Sauter presented a Power Point presentation outlining the problems facing
emergency rooms in Los Angeles County. He stated there are three major problems facing
emergency rooms: an increase in demand for services, economic policies and incentives, and,
overuse and overcrowding of emergency rooms. He provided examples of each problem, statistics
and the causes.
Mayor Pro Tem Perkins inquired on the percentage of our ambulance pick-ups that are
diverted and how the figure for patients leaving the hospital without treatment was ascertained.
Chief Sauter responded that twenty five percent (25%) of the pick-ups are diverted and that the
figure for patients leaving the hospital without treatment comes from a Los Angeles County statistic.
Mayor Pro Tem Perkins then asked what blending of solutions the Chief would recommend to help
relieve these problems. Chief Sauter stated that issues are being worked on currently such as
boundaries, funding and communication. Mayor Pro Tem Perkins noted our local hospital does a
fine job considering the issues because of the County closures and the County needs to step up to
the plate and help.
City Council Minutes 07/26/05
11.REVIEW OF DRAFT TRAVEL, CONFERENCE AND MEETING EXPENSE POLICY:
Administration.
Finance Director Michicoff presented a staff report asking for the Council’s review and input
on the draft Travel, Conference and Meeting Expense Policy that was requested by Council Member
Gafin. The proposed Administrative Regulation would establish travel policy for training sessions,
meetings and other City business for City staff, Commissioners and City Council. He stated that
because each trip has its own circumstances, the policy is drafted to give guidance but also flexibility
for the traveler.
Council Member Gafin noted this was an all encompassing policy with built in flexibility. He
thanked Finance Director Michicoff for putting this together so promptly. He noted that the proposed
policy limits the incidental expenses such as telephone calls, the use of the mini/honor bars, movie
rentals, etc. and that the City should not be paying for these items as you would pay for them
yourself at home.
Council Member Trejo requested clarification on Item 4.2 if the Mayor had authorization
powers over the other Council Members including the Mayor. Finance Director Michicoff stated he
was unsure who should be allowed to approve the Mayor’s travel expenditures other than the Mayor,
however, noted that once they returned and submitted their paperwork, it required approval from
another person.
Council Member Cartozian stated that this policy had a lot of flaws in it and inquired what
other cities had been reviewed. He was informed that existing City policies and Ordinances were
taken into consideration and six other cities had been reviewed. The proposed policy is more
comprehensive whereas the other cities were more restrictive. Council Member Cartozian indicated
that a lot of the items in the policy could be politically motivating and serve disadvantageously to the
Council. He further stated that the language is too vague and noted that all expenditures are public
record already. Finance Director Michicoff responded that the wording was intentionally written
ambiguously to compensate for any situations that might arise.
Mayor Bayer thanked Finance Director Michicoff for his report.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, noted that from 2000 to 2005 the Council has been
over budget every year and that he felt the Finance Director did a good job in drafting the policy. He
feels that the allowance for $25 per day on phone calls is excessive.
Mayor Pro Tem Perkins stated that he has known no one to have misused funds for the City
and feels that the Finance Director would send something back if there were a question about the
appropriateness of the expense. He noted concerns regarding incidental expenditures, meal costs
and telephone usage, stating that he covers these costs on his own and never charges them to the
City. He feels there is no need for a written policy.
It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Mayor Bayer and failed by the
following vote to accept and file the draft and if Council Members have concerns to meet with
the Finance Director before the next meeting to incorporate the changes.
AYES:
NOES:
Gafin, Mayor Bayer
Cartozian, Perkins, Trejo
Prior to the vote, Council Member Cartozian noted other cities give their Council Members
cell phone reimbursement or actual cell phones. He stated he spends over $100 (orie hundred
dollars) a month on his cell phone and has never charged the City for it. He feels the proposed
policy would allow the Council to do that.
City Council Minutes 07/26/05 -5-
Council Member Gafin responded that Ordinance No. 858 states that the stipend the Council
receives is to cover those types of costs.
OTHER BUSINESS – Council Member Announcements or Requests for Future Agenda Items:
Council Member Cartozian requested an update of the April report on implementation of the
Zucker report recommendations for the Development Services Department.
Council Member Gafin reported that the subcommittee on mansionization had met with staff,
provided input and staff is preparing a response; noted that he had spoke at the Chamber of
Commerce regarding the Lakewood Boulevard project; reported that he attended the 2-d annual
barbeque for Unity in the Community at Treasure Island park, the ARC installation dinner in Cerritos;
and noted that tomorrow he is going to Monterey to attend the League of California Cities
educational seminar for new Council Members.
Council Member Trejo requested that Keep Downey Beautiful consider doing a project to
clean up the area at Warren High School adjacent to the tennis courts that has a lot of trash;
acknowledged Janet Molinaro, member of the Emergency Preparedness Committee is in attendance
tonight; noted that the recently release movie, The Island, was filmed in Downey; noted that the
timing was impeccable tonight in approving the Space Science Learning Center and the launch of
the space shuttle Discovery; and requested that the new trees on Downey Avenue be trimmed as
some are blocking business signs.
Mayor Pro Tem Perkins noted that the planning process requires certain procedural steps be
followed regarding the study of overbuilding in the City, that things will be proposed very soon and
noted that this seems to be a problem north of Firestone Boulevard; and reported that he attended
the Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year recognition.
Mayor Bayer announced Concerts in the Park Wednesday at Furman Park which will be
music from the 50s and that food will be available with proceeds going to the Rose Float
Association.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS:
City Manager Caton thanked the Council for approving the salary increases for several non-
management employees tonight; noted the release of the movie The Island and the production will
be starting on Santa Clause Ill at the Downey Studios; and responded to Mr. Lacey’s statements
regarding Eminent Domain, noting that the Community Development Commission in Downey does
not have this power.
ADJOURNMENT: 9:57 p.m.
The meeting adjourned in memory of Patti LeVar, wife of Building Official Ron LeVar
and longtime Downey resident, to 6:30 p.m., August 9, 2005, in the Council Chamber of Downey
City Hall
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
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City Council Minutes 07/26/05 -6-